Summit School is excited to announce that it has been selected to receive a $900,000 ELA-SD Grant (Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota) to improve literacy instruction and implement the Science of Reading in grades preschool through 12. The grant will be distributed over four years and represents a major investment in supporting Summit students as readers and learners.
“This is a big deal for our school and community,” said Superintendent Mike Schmidt. “Reading is the foundation for everything we do in education. The ELA-SD Grant gives us the chance to build stronger readers from the very beginning and help every student feel confident and successful.”
The ELA-SD Grant is a statewide initiative from the South Dakota Department of Education focused on improving literacy outcomes for all students. It supports schools in implementing the Science of Reading. The Science of Reading is a research-based approach that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The goal is to ensure every student receives high- quality instruction grounded in proven methods.
Through this grant, Summit School will:
Provide ongoing training for teachers and staff on evidence-based literacy practices.
Update curriculum and classroom materials to align with the Science of Reading.
Offer targeted support for students who need additional help with reading.
Build a school-wide culture of literacy that includes family and community engagement.
“This opportunity is about more than just new programs or training,” Schmidt added. “It’s about giving our teachers the tools and support they need to help every student grow as a reader. I’m really excited to see the positive impact this will have on our kids over the next few years.”
Summit School extends its appreciation to the South Dakota Department of Education for investing in the success of students across the state and supporting rural schools like Summit in their mission to strengthen literacy for all.